Page 100 of Chasing Sarah

Our comfortable silence is broken by the sound of my phone ringing. Sarah’s shoulders slump and she gives me a sad smile. “I guess our time is up, huh?”

I grimace and nod.

We hurriedly swim to shore. “Yeah?” I grunt when I lift the phone to my ear.

“Get your ass to the estate. There’s word the Cartel is holding an auction soon.”

“They planning to take over what the Bratva started?”

“It would seem so,” Declan growls.

Scoffing, I tell him I’m on my way, then hang up.

When I turn around, Sarah is standing fulling clothed, watching me. Small lines appear between her brows. I pocket my phone and stride over. Pulling her into my arms, I gently stroke the space between her brows, smoothing the lines.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I don’t want to go.

A question swirling in her eyes. Then it quickly changes to determination. “Take me with you.”

Stepping back, I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. She’s been set on helping with our searches, but after whathappened when we actually found some of them, I’m worried it’ll be too much for her.

“Don’t tell me no. I want to go. Ineedto go.” Her eyes seem double in size. Damn puppy-dog eyes. How the fuck do I say no tothat?

* * *

I couldn’t tell her no.

Declan sits behind his desk, Liam in one of the seats facing him. I’m on the other. After fighting to be in this meeting, Sarah relented after Declan got involved and went with Paige and Emily upstairs. But not before making me promise not to leave if we end up taking off for a mission.

I didn’t give her the specifics. Just that we are pinpointing the location of our next target. Considering Paige was taken to Mexico, I was nervous about her knowing it’s possible we go there before confirming.

“We weren’t able to determine the exact location, but we know the auction is going to be happening in 2 weeks.” Liam’s eyes bounce between me and Declan.

Declan has his elbows resting on his desktop, his hands clasped together, his forefingers pressed against his lips. He doesn’t say anything for a moment and his eyes absentmindedly scan the wood surface.

“Dec?” I lean forward, resting my forearms on my knees.

He stands and moves to stare out the window. “How long do you think it will take to find out?”

Liam grimaces before replying. “According to what we could find, no one will know until 2 days before. But, Boss, it’s supposed to be a pretty big auction.”

Declan’s frame tenses.

“Word is the Herrera’s captured the girls Vladimir was stashing in Russia.”

I curse, my head falling between my shoulders.

First the Russians and now the Cartel. And these fuckers are a lot stealthier than the Bratva. They move fast and effectively. They don’t broadcast their movements or make a big show of wealth. That’s what makes them so dangerous.

“Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the announcement,” Declan says to Liam, then turns to face me. “Rhys, I need to you draw up a plan for how we’re going to beat these fuckers.”

I nod, my mind already racing to come up with an idea.

The next few hours are spent working on our own operations. Business is good. Our weapons inventory is stocked, and we have been striking multiple deals across the world.

My phone chimes. When I unlock it, I read a text from Sarah.

Chuckling under my breath, I type out my reply.

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